Fréderic Vasseur has stepped in at the helm of Scuderia, signaling a fresh era as the team searches for a breakthrough. In the early phase of the season, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia delivered disappointing results for the Maranello squad, undermining the morale of drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. The two shared a realization that rivals like Aston Martin and Mercedes had edged ahead, and the current pace did not reflect the ambitions pinned to the start of the campaign. Sainz, who finished sixth this weekend just ahead of Leclerc, acknowledged the gap and the need for a plan that could close it, especially as the calendar moves toward more aero- and tyre-sensitive circuits in North America. The sense of urgency within the garage was palpable as engineers and strategists recalibrated data and kept a steady eye on performance targets for the rest of the year. The Madrid-born driver made no effort to hide the disappointment, yet he also conveyed a measured resilience that has become familiar at this level of competition.
“It’s been a tough race. It’s been a tough weekend for us overall. It doesn’t look like it’s much.” The rhythm shown by Aston Martin and Mercedes caught the team by surprise, with the leading rivals pulling clear at several points in the grand prix. In the post-race debrief, Sainz described how the pace difference manifested across different phases of the stint, noting that the other cars could stretch their tyres longer and still maintain a credible pace. The observation underscored a recurring challenge: matching or exceeding the efficiency of the top teams on the long runs while preserving tyre life across varying temperatures and track layouts. The sentiment echoed a common theme among competitors who have watched performances fluctuate as setups evolve and weather conditions shift, leaving engineers with the task of extracting every last tenth from a currently imperfect package. Sainz emphasized that the team had anticipated a stronger showing after Friday’s promising signs but acknowledged the gap that remained to the leaders. The narrative reflected the wider context in which the sport operates—constant iteration, relentless data analysis, and a shared recognition that improvements are measured in fractions, not whole seconds, during early-season events.
“They’re a bit ahead, especially at race pace, especially in the second half of the stints. We’ve already seen how Hamilton got away with the mid tyre. We lost a lot of value, overused the tire and in the end you make the race difficult but I have to say. After Friday we were expecting a little more first of all.”
Team personnel and drivers alike have been clear about the path forward. Across the factory floor and the pit wall, conversations have centered on reliability, aerodynamics, and tyre management—the trio that often defines outcomes in demanding races. It’s a chess match that demands patience, precise data interpretation, and timely updates to the car’s dynamics. The squad remains committed to refining the vehicle so that it becomes more than a sum of its parts, especially as it prepares for circuits that reward sustained pace and efficient tyre use. Sainz stressed that the season is far from over, and that perseverance would be key as the team navigates an early stretch that has tested their resolve. The belief within the organization is that the current performance is not the final word; there is confidence that the car’s fundamental design can be improved through a rigorous program of development and testing. The message from Sainz and his engineers is consistent: keep pushing, stay focused, and trust the process, because a stronger showing should follow once the package is fully aligned with the demands of the 2025 schedule. There is a strong sense that the team understands the landscape in North America and beyond, and that the work done now will translate into more competitive performances in the weeks to come.
Moreover, the broader championship picture remains dynamic. The team is investing in a multi-pronged strategy that balances quick fixes with long-term performance upgrades. The aim is to translate the early-season lessons into a more capable car that can fight for podiums and points with the top-tier outfits. For Sainz and Leclerc, the road ahead is clear: maintain concentration, extract every possible ounce of speed from the chassis and power unit, and build momentum through consistent practice, simulations, and real-world testing. The season will unfold with another batch of high-stakes races in which every improvement could swing the balance. While the initial rounds may have fallen short of expectations, the overarching confidence within the team is that their approach will yield tangible gains, restoring competitiveness and rekindling the optimism that fuels the crew behind the scenes. The narrative going forward is one of incremental gains, disciplined development, and an unwavering commitment to closing the gap to the leaders as the calendar advances across mid-season milestones and beyond.